Parting shots: Jelavic denies forcing Everton move as Rangers hit out

Rangers and Nikica Jelavic were mired in a war of words on Thursday night over the chain of events which ended in the Croatian’s Ibrox departure.

Formally unveiled as a £6million Everton player on Thursday, Jelavic set the ball rolling by insisting he never asked to leave Ibrox.

That claim was last night branded ‘ridiculous’ by the SPL champions, however, with operations director Ali Russell insisting Jelavic told Ally McCoist on Monday he wanted out.

Sticky situation: Everton's new boy Nikica Jelavic has become embroiled in a war of words with his former club, Rangers

‘Nikica told Ally McCoist he wanted to move to the English Premier League, so to suggest he didn’t want to leave Rangers is nonsense,’ said Russell.

‘Nikica and indeed his family were widely quoted throughout January about playing in England and his agent also communicated the fact he wanted to achieve a lifetime ambition and test himself in the Premier League.

‘He wants to earn a starting place for Croatia at Euro 2012 and felt a move to England’s top flight would help him achieve that. To suggest he was forced to leave Ibrox is just ridiculous.’

The 26-year-old described his 18 months in Glasgow as a ‘beautiful’ period.

But, in an outburst which angered the SPL champions, the striker insisted: ‘Let me clear something up. I still had two-and-a-half years left on my contract with Rangers and so, if the club said to me you are staying, I would have respected that decision.

‘I never said I am desperate to leave or that I want to leave. It is strange to hear this. Two clubs made an agreement and that is it. What can I do without the clubs’ agreement?’

Hitting back: Rangers say Ally McCoist was told Jelavic wanted out

Rangers owner Craig Whyte triggered the disagreement by saying in an open letter to supporters that the player himself forced the move.

‘The reality of Jelavic’s departure is two-fold,’ said Whyte. ‘One, the player wanted to leave and there is no point in trying to keep a player who no longer wants to be at Ibrox. Two, the club is simply not in a financial position to turn down offers for players which give the club a good return on its original investment.’

Jelavic defended his actions by adding: ‘I never met Craig Whyte. I have never spoken with him. Why am I the bad guy? I’ve done my job for Rangers I think with two trophies and with many goals.

‘It was a beautiful 18 months and I won’t speak against Rangers because of one man. Rangers will always have a special place in my heart.’